Ford tests brake light that communicates with other cars

Safety is something all car companies are taking very seriously, and rightly so. Safer cars mean fewer fatalities out on the roads, and that is certainly worth investing into.

Cars nowadays not only have better crash structures, but also use electronic aids to help prevent accidents in the first place. In recent years we have seen intelligent cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and forward collision alert, along with other safety advances in new cars.

Ford is now looking to develop new systems to help improve road safety in its future models, starting with a high-tech Electronic Brake Light.

The technology is one of 20 potential future systems Ford is testing as part of Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (simTD), a fouryear joint industry research project.

This high-tech brake light is an early warning system which will communicate with cars behind, warning them if sudden braking is to be employed. This system is designed to work around corners and also if there are other cars in between.

A warning sign would illuminate in vehicles equipped with this system; if you are alerted of an incident up the road, you will have a better chance to avoid it.

This technology is currently in its test phase, but you can expect to see this or similar new safety systems in future models. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9rPotK 5iC0 &feature=player_embedded